Flesh-Eating Bacteria Alert: FDOH and CDC Issue Crucial Prevention Guidelines

As concerns rise regarding Vibrio vulnificus, a possibly deadly bacterium found in warm saltwater, health officials are urging the public to take stringent precautions. The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released vital facts to help individuals avoid contracting this dangerous infection, frequently enough referred to as “flesh-eating bacteria.”

Vibrio vulnificus infections can occur through two primary routes: consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters, or through exposure of open wounds to contaminated water. the bacteria thrive in warm, brackish, and saltwater environments, making coastal areas and estuaries particularly susceptible during warmer months.

To mitigate the risk of infection,the FDOH and CDC recommend the following:

Protect Open Wounds: Individuals with open wounds,cuts,or abrasions should avoid contact with warm saltwater,brackish water,or floodwaters.If exposure is unavoidable, wounds must be covered with a waterproof bandage.
Immediate Wound Care: Any skin breaks that come into contact with saltwater, brackish water, or raw seafood and its juices should be thoroughly washed with soap and water instantly.
Recognize Infection Signs: Prompt medical attention is crucial if a wound exhibits signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, oozing, fever, increasing pain, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, or confusion.
Safe Shellfish Consumption: The CDC strongly advises against eating raw oysters and other raw shellfish. Shellfish should be cooked thoroughly. This includes boiling untill shells open and for an additional five minutes, or steaming until shells open and for an additional nine minutes. Shucked oysters should be boiled for at least three minutes or fried for at least 10 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Proper Handling and storage: Shellfish that do not open during cooking should be discarded. To prevent cross-contamination,cooked seafood should be consumed promptly,and leftovers refrigerated.When handling raw shellfish, protective clothing, such as gloves, should be worn.Adhering to these guidelines is paramount for safeguarding public health against the serious threat posed by Vibrio vulnificus.